Who Wants To Try a DIS-Meet At Gulf State Park In May-June 2016?

[bama_ed]

Sundancer,

We brought our families so everyone is minding their p's and q's. Although no arrests have taken place (yet), the fire department did show up with a truck two days ago and didn't stop at where Michael and Randy are set up. Teamubr and Garneska have set good examples by exercising (Jim got in some serious road biking and Kris is swimming, running, and making the rest of us look lazy). My purpose here is to create balance in the universe so I am lounging in my chair, drinking my beer, and providing an alternative good example. I'm worn out from doing it but am taking one for the team. Remember, it's all about balance. (I may need a nap this afternoon)...

This morning tiggerdad and southalabama5er did stop by to work on the puzzle. Michael got started on Lumiere and Cogsworth sections and twice said, "okay that's it - I'm walking away from it", but he would stand there and keep searching. Randy and I provided moral support. Jim did stop by after a morning road bike ride (I asked if he rode down to the FL state line to buy his Powerball tickets but he did not provide a direct answer). The puzzle got a jump start when Flametamr arrived about 5 minutes after Michael and Randy left. Joe focused on the Belle/Beast/Mrs Potts section which as you can see had a lot of blue in it.



Riveting stuff isn't it? DW bought my lunch at the Original Oyster House and now I'm back under my awning listening to a Polynesian Resort music loop while a stiff breeze blows (had to put a clear cover on the puzzle so it wouldn't blow away).

I hear my book and chair calling my name.

Bama Ed

 

[garneska]

It was a busy morning. Can definitely say I am not lazy till afternoon. We awoke to a sick yeti. Then I did my 5 mile run, Bert did his too but in the heat it's every man for himself. I even got in some push ups and sit ups. Next took yeti out again. Then got on the bikes and went to Lake Shelby. Another successful open water swim. Guess I need to stay here to keep practicing. Took yeti out again, then we went to breakfast and Rouses market.

Now we are out under the awning, enjoying a mimosa and safe that yeti is outside.

Got a load of wash going. Thinking about heading to Ed's to work on his puzzle.

Plan for tomorrow is for this little swimmer to try the Gulf.

When are the festivities starting on Friday?

 

[tiggerdad]

As far as arrests go, it was close but Randy and I were let off with a warning on a federal offense but details have to remain secret as we swore not to talk (no joke) and Joe managed to get a security guard at NAS Pensacola all worked up yesterday morning at the front check point.

Yes, my wife has made me behave while being here so with much foot stomping I have complied as ordered. My wife wants to do beach pictures this evening and afterwards we're going to break out the flashlights and net for some crab wrangling.

 

[Flametamr]

Sign us up for crabing if I can get back in time. What would we need besides a flash light ? A net or gig ? I'm on errand right now taking my brother to the eye doctor in Pensacola. Had fun helping Ed on his puzzle. He even pretended it was ok.

 

[tiggerdad]

Sad news to report, but just heard one of the Blue Angels crashed today in Tennessee. Unfortunately the pilot was not able to eject.

 

[Teamubr]

Sad news to report, but just heard one of the Blue Angels crashed today in Tennessee. Unfortunately the pilot was not able to eject.

Just saw this on the news when I got back from the beach. Sad day.

j

 

[PaHunter]

Just saw this on the news when I got back from the beach. Sad day.

j

Yes a Blue Angel crashed and pilot was killed. Thunderbirds also had a crash and pilot is ok. So very sad.

 

[tiggerdad]

We are eating this evening at Lambert's Cafe which is referred to as"Home of the throwed roll" because they literally do throw the rolls all the way across the room to you. As we ate I noticed above our head one of the hanging decorations and what appeared to be an errantly thrown roll...

 

[Flametamr]

As you know from our posts we attended the Blue Angels practice yesterday in Pensacola. What wasn't said is I have very close friend that was able to get my family on the flight line to see the Blues up close after the show. It turns out my wife to several good pictures of the plane that crashed today the No 6 piloted by Captain Jeff Kuss. The only Marine Corps member on the flight team. Sadly he lost his life protecting others. I will post pictures soon.

 

[Flametamr]

Blue Angel No 6

 

[Flametamr]

Captain Jeff Kuss. Rest in peace thank you for your service and sacrifice.

 

[Flametamr]

The team after the show. Captain Kuss is the shorter guy in front if I'm not mistaken.

 

[bama_ed]

It's terrible to hear about these two accidents in the same day (the Blue Angel pilot who died and the Thunderbird pilot who lived).

To the question of tomorrow/when, I would guess show up any time after say 5pm and we will eat whenever it's ready and meet in-between. You can come in the campground entrance and pay a slight fee (IIRC it's $2 then take the 1st right (not the storage lot) then the 1st left (onto Sumac). There is a Comfort Station on either end and the hub (Teamubr, 5er, tiggerdad) is in the middle about 70-73.

For those that asked, yes, some of us will be here at this time next year (so far tiggerdad, southalabma5er, and myself). We will try to relocate the hub area around Live Oak Road (if you check the map link in post #1 of this thread) starting at site #4 and going down toward the high 20's. The target dates are any time between Memorial Day weekend (MD is May 29, 2017) through Sunday June 4. Be forewarned that the Memorial Day weekend books early and full especially along the lakes like Live Oak in the park. Post #1 has info/links for making phone reservations (site specific), making a deposit (may involve telephone tag), and such. Not to sound too much like FW advice, but there are a few options:

1. Get what you can which includes the holiday weekend into the following week. May be tight along Live Oak or around the corner on Sumac. Stay there in one place your entire stay.
2. Get a site for the holiday weekend and book a 2nd reservation starting on Memorial Day (when it seems many people left this year) on Live Oak. It requires a move between sites which takes some work.
3. Come in on Memorial Day or even the next day and get a site along Live Oak or near it. Should be more availability starting on Monday or Tuesday of that week.

Like the folks this year, some came in before Memorial Day and some came in after it. Some are leaving this Saturday and some this Sunday. Come if you want to, arrive when you can, stay until you choose to leave. If you got other stuff going on in your life, well then maybe next time. Pretty simple. Phone reservations for campsites can be made M-F 8a-5p. We would like to meet you and put faces with names.

Some sites do not offer much/any shade but that's the nature of Gulf after all these hurricanes of the last several years. Even sites with shade are only so for part of the day. Also along Live Oak it can be brisk and breezy so make sure you bring a method to secure awnings, EZ Ups, and the like. All sites have power (20, 30, 50A) and sewer. The cost depending on location will run $40-50 a night.

After reading a few chapters in my book this afternoon in a good breeze under my EZ Up, tiggerdad came back around late afternoon to resume his puzzle work. Southalabama5er also ended up here and helped with several pieces as well. I filled in some gaps so this is what it looked like at dark.



DW and I took a bike ride about 630pm down to the beach for a stroll. Water was nice and warm flying a yellow flag. I'll have to research and add/edit the water temp. Today they added a nice mural along the bike/foot crossing on Park Road #2 by the bridge that will be the mural for other bike and foot crossings of roads within the Park. It depicts life on land, sea, and air within the Park.



No plans for tomorrow other than going to a local farm where they make cheese. And working on the puzzle some more.

Bama Ed

PS - water temp got up to 85.77F today late this afternoon. Also for the Perdido Pass NOAA buoy the wind speed was 0 knots at 630am (yes it was very still) and up to 8.9 knots this afternoon (I believe that too) or 10.24 mph.

 

[friendofeeyore]

Grumpy Aggie & Friend of Eeyore will work our schedules to meet & greet next year, if God willing & the creeks don't rise. Texas is flooding like crazy.
All be safe when heading home & let us all know that you made it home safe. Enjoying all the news & pictures!! Have the baby turtles headed for the water yet?

 

[bama_ed]

Grumpy Aggie & Friend of Eeyore will work our schedules to meet & greet next year, if God willing & the creeks don't rise. Texas is flooding like crazy.
All be safe when heading home & let us all know that you made it home safe. Enjoying all the news & pictures!! Have the baby turtles headed for the water yet?

Good question, Glo.

According to this website, http://www.alabamaseaturtles.com/nesting-season-statistics/ most nestings occur from mid-May to mid-August along the Alabama Gulf Coast (only about 30 miles long here in Baldwin County - some of these may occur on the other side of Mobile Bay on Dauphin Island too). Most are loggerhead turtle nests and the average incubation is 58 days yielding slightly over 100 hatchlings. The nest I pictured had been found and marked on May 30 so no hatchlings yet but maybe late July they are due.

I would love to have you and Arnold join us next year.

I forgot to add that Gulf State Park can be a stop for many (depending on your direction of travel) either to or from a visit to Fort Wilderness. Only 484 miles.

Bama Ed

 

[JETS70]

We are eating this evening at Lambert's Cafe which is referred to as"Home of the throwed roll" because they literally do throw the rolls all the way across the room to you. As we ate I noticed above our head one of the hanging decorations and what appeared to be an errantly thrown roll...
View attachment 172961

We have eaten at Lambert's Café in Sikeston MO twice. Holy smokes is that not a lot of food!!!! I had roast beef mashed potatoes and gravy and of course all the sides and throwed rolls a man could eat.

 

[tiggerdad]

Ha ha! Yes, tons of food!

We're sitting outside talking to Burt and Kris and hearing stories about Mallory and Yeti. You have to ask Kris about the baby bunnies

 

[Flametamr]

Hey Ed my wife bought the Cinderella puzzle like the one you are working on. My daughter and I may come help a little tomorrow.

 

[FtW Mike]

To Capt Jeff Kuss
SEMPER FI MARINE

 

[bama_ed]